Growing up with a single parent, Maiyer knew first hand what poverty was like. She was told that “education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty” and she believed that.
Maiyer Xiong, A Hmong Woman Lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, the National University of Laos.
Maiyer devoted her early years to education and promised herself to graduate from a University before getting married. Though her study was mainly of the Lao education system, she has had the opportunity to learn some basic English here and there in high school. When she attended the University, she chose to learn French since there were more French scholarship opportunities. In 2006, she graduated with a B.S. in Agriculture and got a respectable career with a non-government organization.
Soon after she graduated, she got married (as planned). However, her marriage ended sooner than she had imagined.
Things didn’t work out; we cannot understand each other because we have different goals and different ways of thinking.
The stigma as a divorced Hmong woman had brought her to the lowest point of her life. She experienced shame and self-doubt like many divorced Hmong women went through. She spent months in the temple to help her recover and find clarity in her life.
Life was hard, but I still remember my dream. I wanted to show everyone that divorce is not a bad thing but it is a choice that we should have and I just tell myself never to give up.
Her life turned around when she found the purpose to be of service to other Hmong students. She recognized the barriers many Hmong students in Laos (especially those who were coming from the rural area) were experiencing. She decided to further her education to get her Master’s Degree to become a University Lecturer. With the help of a small grant, she was able to go to study abroad in France for two and half years where she got her Masters in Agriculture Development. Even though she didn’t have a formal and extensive education in English, through her volunteer experience, collaboration and research opportunities with other teachers from Australia, she picked up the English language by experience.
In 2012, she adventured out to Africa where she interned as a field researcher to study the villager’s farming system.
Burkina Faso Village, West Africa
“These kids showed me how to pump water from the ground in Burkina-Faso, West Africa.”
Being a single Hmong woman in Laos (putting education as her priority), she experienced criticisms and disapprovals from many people. However, her mother was always her biggest supporter which was the only approval she needed. Her ability to do well in school and the encouragements of her teachers gave her the confidence to own her choices. Her ability to recognize that she has choices empowers her to stay focused on her dream, a dream to help her Hmong fellows to become self-sufficient through education.
As a teacher, she’s constantly looking for ways to help the Hmong students. In 2015, she opened a community center to offer workshops on the weekend as an extra support services.
She either hosted the workshops or invited special guests to teach the students how to write reports, proposals and do presentations.
She recently created a library (currently with about 100 books). Her future goal is to expand the library and adding a computer lab. There is a library and a computer lab available at the University but when the school closes at 3pm, the students no longer have access to them.
Maiyer’s contribution expands beyond her school and community center. In the winter of 2016, an unexpected cold storm hit Laos. Many Hmong families in rural areas especially the children had no warm clothes. Maiyer started a donation campaign to collect warm clothes to help the families.
Winter coats giveaway
Maiyer’s latest proud moment was starting a family. Her husband is a Chef and a Farmer who is devoted to support her journey as a Hmong woman in education trying to better her community in Laos.
When asked what is one message she wanted to share with our young girls, she ended with this powerful wisdom:
Life is and will be hard. Obstacles will come your way. But don’t give up. Don’t lose focus of your dream. Stay faithful and hopeful and always believe in yourself. One day, you will achieve your dream and one day, you will realize that obstacle is only a test of your greatness.
If you feel inspired to donate to Maiyer’s center, to visit her center or to collaborate with her, then we invite you to connect with her at the following contact information.
Maiyer Xiong
Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos
Vientiane, Laos
Email : xmaiyer@yahoo.com
Tel: 856305147892
If you have a story you would like us to share, then please email it to annie@hmongwomentoday.com.